A FORMER pub landlord with a passion for sport has died at the age of 77.

Geoff Pears was president of Bolton Percy Cricket Club and landlord of The Crown pub for 25 years.

Mr Pears was born in Tadcaster on June 18, 1931, and was heavily involved in the area for the rest of his life.

He started work in the railway industry in York as an apprentice builder. After doing National Service in the Army Catering Corps, he returned to the railway for ten years as manager of the concrete yard.

A sporting man, Mr Pears was a leading light at Bolton Percy Cricket Club for more than 50 years. He had a lengthy spell as captain and later as club president, a post which he still held when he died. He was also captain and secretary of Clifton Cricket Club, York.

Shooting was also a passion and he became manager of Oxton Game Farm in 1964. His love of shooting continued throughout his life where he was a well known figure at game fairs and shoots, some of which he organised for the church bazaar.

He was a chorister as a child and maintained a strong interest in music throughout his life.

Albert Pattison, secretary of York and District Senior Cricket League, said Geoff and his wife, Angela, were married for 52 years.

Mr Pattison said Angela, together with their children, Janet, Karen and Martin, supported Geoff in all his activities both socially and commercially.

In 1974 he took over as landlord of The Crown, at Bolton Percy, where he stayed for 25 years.

After leaving the pub trade, Mr Pears took on the stewardship and catering at The Riley-Smith Hall, in Tadcaster.

“As business manager, he was involved continually planning and developing new business ideas to help maintain financial stability,” said Mr Pattison.

The outside catering business also expanded his reputation and Distinctive Cuisine became one of the main caterers for venues in York such as the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, The Merchant Tailors’ Hall and the De Grey Rooms.

More than 500 mourners filled All Saints’ Church, at Bolton Percy, for a commemorative service following an earlier private funeral.

Paying tribute to his father at the service, Martin Pears said: “If you wanted something doing you asked Geoff Pears. He was a larger than life character who was much loved within a wide ranging community and will be greatly missed.”